Oakland Raiders History

The Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders started as a football club in 1960, after the Los Angeles Chargers owner decided he would forfeit his franchise unless a second team was placed on the West Coast. Thus, the city of Oakland - an unlikely spot for an NFL franchise - was awarded the eighth AFL franchise. The team inherited Minneapolis' draft picks.

The Raiders initially chose Kezar Stadium as their home field. The Raiders finished out their first season with a 6-8 record, but were hurt financially to continue playing. The team received a loan from Buffalo Bills founder Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. The Raiders struggled their next season, winning only one game. In 1963, however, the addition of Al Davis as head coach improved their record to 10-4, and subsequent years proved the Raiders were on a track to professional football success.

In 1967, the Raiders captured the 1967 AFL Championship by defeating the Houston Oilers. The win earned them a trip to Super Bowl II, where they lost to Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers. In 1969, John Madden became head coach of the Raiders. Under Madden, the Raiders would become one of the most successful teams in the NFL. From 1973-1975, the Raiders suffered three AFC Championship losses, but would fight back to win Super Bowl XI in 1976 for their first ever NFL title.

Madden led the Raiders to 10 consecutive winning seasons, but left in 1979 to pursue a career as a TV commentator. Tom Flores, the first-ever Hispanic head coach in NFL history, took over Madden's position. In 1980, starting QB Dan Pastorini broke his leg and was replaced by number-one draft pick Jim Plunkett. Plunkett led the Raiders to an 11-5 record and their first wild card berth. The Raiders swept the playoffs, which led them to a match-up between the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. The Raiders defeated the Eagles 27-10, becoming the first wild card team to win a Super Bowl.

In 1982, after a drawn out legal battle between owners, the Raiders moved to Los Angeles, and became the Los Angeles Raiders. In 1983, the Raiders captured their third NFL Championship, but the performance of the team weaned over the next 5 years. In 1995, the Raiders returned to Oakland to much fanfare. Though the Raiders started the season 8-2, injuries plagued the team and the Raiders slipped out of playoff contention for the second consecutive season.

From 2000-2002, the Raiders won three divisional titles and made an appearance at Super Bowl XXXVII. The Raiders lost the contest to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however, on five interceptions 48-21.

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